In a recent interview with Clash, Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo explained his thoughts about Metallica fans. He said:

“It is subjective. I’m the same way. That’s part of the journey. When I have a problem – and I think I can speak for the other guys in the band – is when you do something creatively outside of that situation, whether it’s a film or art or anything.

We’re all creative individuals. We have other passions, and with those passions, you’ve got to let it out, you’ve got to create. And it’s okay to do that, but always expect to be judged, and always expect to be judged in a negative way, because nine times out of ten, that’s generally what the people do these days.

And, you know what? Metallica fans can be ultra supportive, and they can be ultra negative, and there can be a certain amount of frustration and hate in that mix, and you just have to keep moving forward and enjoy life. Again, I feel making music, art, creativity as a whole, is magic. I feel that magic on stage now with this band more than ever.

When we go out there and James says, ‘For how many of you is this your first Metallica show?’, oftentimes it’s half the crowd. And these are stadiums in North America, where things had gotten a little bit slower. We’ve always tended to do well in South America – especially Mexico City – and in Europe, and then in the States, they’re more fickle there, so it was really incredible to play the large venues in the States and realise just in the last few years that the audience has grown, and there seems to be a lot of love for what we’re doing, at a time when it’s very difficult for live bands.

It’s not quite what it used to be; it’s tough for live rock bands. In a way, I feel to have a rock band in the Top Ten, an album that’s had this kind of success, it’s a bit miraculous, because it hasn’t happened in a very long time.

Real instruments, you know? But, at the end of the day, we’re having fun, and that’s all that we can ask for: that we can enjoy what we’re doing, making music, and, again, appreciate this journey.”